We've all been faced with that inevitable moment of closing the book we've been devouring, then looking up at our to-be-read shelf and not knowing where to go next.

I hope to cut that time wasted blubbering at your books with a few tips on how to choose your next read.

1. Trust Your Eyes

When you glance up at your bookshelf, where do your eyes linger? Or when you are scrolling through bookstagram, what book keeps popping into your feed and intriguing you? If a book is constantly catching your eye, chances are your brain is subconsciously choosing that book as your next read.​ So, glance up at your shelves right now. Which one is calling to you?

2. TBR Jar

Yes, they are the things that you've seen on Tumblr, and yes, you are cool enough to have one. All you have to do is find an empty can or jar somewhere around your house , cut out a bunch of small slips of paper and write down the books you own that you haven't read or books you've been aching to check out/buy. You can even get a little creative and decorate your jar if you want, make an afternoon of it(:

Once you've made your jar, all you have to do is stick your hand in the jar, pull out a slip and bam! Your problem is solved.

3. Ask

If you really can't make a decision, have someone else make it for you.​Send the books you're deciding between to a friend, family member, or even me! They'll either choose one they've read and loved or not know any of them and most likely pick the one with the prettiest cover.

​ Either way, your decision is made.

4. Don't Read

WHAT!? Calm down, calm down. If absolutely nothing is catching your eye, and you ask your friends what to read and their suggestions just aren't appealing to you, don't read.Create your own thing to read, write. Write about your day, write about the day you wish you had, write about the old man who lives down the street, write about that trail in the forest you've been too scared to go down, write about what could've happened that time you said no, write about the meaning behind your favorite song. The possibilities are endless, and you might even have fun.

5. Well...

To be honest, I don't have a fifth tip right now, but I absolutely cannot do anything that leaves off with the number four. So, if I do think of a fifth tip eventually I'll add it here. In the mean time, this'll just be an awkward space that we won't talk about. Okay? Okay.